More rail fare rises are on the horizon says Assembly Member

10.53.11am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 26th Jul 2007

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has attacked the UK Government's new rail strategy as vague and unambitious.

"This is merely the latest in a long line of Labour re-announcements," said Mr. Black.

"The last 30 years have seen rail fares rise as car travel gets cheaper. Nothing in this strategy suggests this trend will be reversed. How are people going to be persuaded out of their cars when fares are set to rise even further?

"In our area, we have seen fares rise and the service to passengers - particularly those from Bridgend and Swansea - decline. We have had the most expensive rail fares in Europe for some years, and some of the most overcrowded roads. Surely even Labour can see the connection between the two?

"This strategy simply does not meet the Stern report's challenge of reducing greenhouse emissions. Taking the UK as a whole, It is disappointing that high speed rail, that would help to reduce aviation emissions, has been kicked into the long grass.

"It is clear that under Labour, and their Plaid helpers, passengers in our region will have to suffer many more years of fare hikes and overcrowding."